New Social Security Policy Started in April: Everything You Need To Know
Written by
Jake Safane
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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There’s been a lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding how the Trump administration will affect Social Security, particularly as DOGE eyes administrative cuts and alleges fraud within the system.
Already, a new identity verification policy has been put in place, but public backlash has caused the Social Security Administration (SSA) to reverse some of its plans. Here’s what you need to know about the new policy.
Method of Identity Verification
Initially, the SSA planned to no longer allow identity verification over the phone for someone signing up for Social Security benefits or making a change to their direct deposit. Instead, you would either have to sign up for a “my Social Security” account online to prove your identity or visit a Social Security office in person.
After a series of changes, however, the current rule — according to the SSA as of April 14, 2025 — is that you can complete all claim types over the phone, but if the SSA suspects irregularities, you may need to verify your identity in person.
Changing Direct Deposit Information
Also, if changing direct deposit information, you either need to do so online through your “my Social Security” account or you need to do so in person at a Social Security office. Completing a paper application for retirement, survivors, spouse or child benefits also requires visiting an office.
That said, it’s possible these identity verification rules will change further.
“Revisions to the Social Security identification process have been fluid and subject to change since they were first announced,” said Chris Orestis, president of Retirement Genius.
Planning Ahead
In general, the agency seems to be trying to move toward online identity verification for all Social Security and Medicare benefit signups and direct deposit changes, but plans to drop telephone verification have largely been walked back. Still, it might be in your best interest to familiarize yourself with creating an online account, whether that’s for your own convenience or to potentially get ahead of future policy changes.
The first step is to create an online my Social Security account “immediately, even if you are not going to apply for Social Security in the near future. This way, you know if you are going to run into issues,” said Rachel Gustafson, certified financial planner (CFP) and investment advisor representative at Financial Investment Team (FIT). “Sometimes, clients cannot get logged into the portal for a variety of reasons and if this is you, then you will want to know this sooner rather than later.”
Otherwise, trying to get an in-person appointment can take weeks to months, depending on your location, she added, not to mention the time it takes for the actual in-person visit.
To create a new account, you can do so via the SSA’s website, although that redirects you to create a cross-agency account via either Login.gov or ID.me.
“Be sure to create a strong password for your account and record that in a safe place,” said Danielle K. Roberts, founding partner of Boomer Benefits.
While some worry that seniors will struggle to use the online system, others see these changes as important modernization that shouldn’t be too difficult of a transition.
“We welcome these changes because for many years there have been con artists calling into Social Security and changing beneficiaries’ direct deposits or applying for benefits that don’t belong to them. There are millions of retirees who depend on timely Social Security payments and even missing one or two payments while you try to correct the fraud can be a hardship,” Roberts.
For many Americans, using government websites for managing benefits is something they already do and those who are reaching the age of Social Security retirement benefits have generally worked in a world that has had computers for several decades, “so this should not be a hardship for most people,” she added.
What To Do If You Don’t Have Computer Access
That said, not everyone has access to a computer or some struggle to use one, despite their prevalence. Ironically, many who fall into these categories are the very people who rely on Social Security benefits.
“Many are technology challenged and face physical mobility and transportation problems, which could impede their ability to access a physical office,” Orestis said.
If you do need to go to a Social Security office for verification, such as if the telephone verification system suspects irregularities or you’re trying to change direct deposit and can’t access your online account, that could also get trickier in the future, particularly if the agency moves ahead with more administrative cuts.
“These offices are already understaffed, which creates added stress for both recipients and the staff trying to help them. This could potentially lead to missing out on benefits if recipients aren’t able to get an appointment in a timely manner or don’t have the needed identification or even the ability to commute to an office. My biggest recommendation is to start planning now,” Gustafson said.
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